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CU Rise

Concord University’s Three-Year accelerated programs take advantage of a student’s extensive prior learning credits and integration of course content across the curriculum. The program makes it possible for students—especially advanced learners and non-traditional students with professional and life experiences—to obtain a university degree in just three years and either enter the workforce with practical skills, or continue into a graduate or professional school, a year early. This is achieved through one or more of the following: a structured, yet flexible curriculum, hands-on training on advanced instrumentation, business and research internships, and access to programs centered on the development of soft skills.

Degree Options

  • Biology (Biomedical Sciences emphasis)
  • Biology (Organismal and Field emphasis)
  • Biology (Pre-PA or PT emphasis)
  • Chemistry (concentrating in Biochemistry or Professional Chemistry)
  • Chemistry (concentrating in Pre-Pharmacy or Clinical Lab Science)
  • Computer Science
  • Environmental Geosciences (concentrating in Public Health, Society and Environment)
  • Health Sciences (Pre-Professional Studies)
  • Psychology (Pre-Professional track)
  • Sociology
  • Sociology (Criminology track)

Why should you consider the CU Rise program?

  • Cost savings (students can save up to ~25%)
  • Less time to graduate and boost your earning potential
  • Access to professional MCAT, PCAT, GRE, etc. training
  • Get priority admission to select in-state MD and DO programs
  • Opportunities to attend professional, graduate, and college fairs
  • Additional mentorship and career support

What Our CU Rise Scholars Are Saying:

“I took dual enrollment courses in high school.”

“My biggest reason for joining the CU Rise program was to accelerate through college to achieve my goal of attending medical school. If you know what you want, this program will help prepare you for your career choice and give you opportunities to grow as a student, person, and as a professional. Having the opportunity to be a part of what the CU Rise program offers is a huge honor and accomplishment.”

“I want to finish my degree faster to start grad school sooner. Also, I hope to make friends with other like-minded people in the group.”

“I decided to enroll in the CU Rise program to continue my involvement in the Concord University community and further prepare for medical school as the organization provides many opportunities and perks that are pertinent to my desired career path.”

I chose to enroll in the CU Rise program because the course curriculums aligned with my field of interest and I didn’t want to miss the opportunity to grab the accelerated program that will help me expand and complete my education one year earlier and faster.

“Learning about how helpful the program is toward preparing students for the next step after Concord.”

“I decided to enroll in the CU rise program to learn more about graduate schools, opportunities, and connect with other academics like myself.”

“I am wanting to fast track and get as much school finished as fast as possible.”

Frequently Asked Questions

The difference is that you will have the opportunity to graduate a year early which could be a 25% cost-savings. This is achieved by taking advantage of a student’s prior earned college credits and/or taking 3-6 credits in the summer to obtain the 120 credits required for graduation.

  • For federal aid, such as the Pell Grant, SEOG, and student loans, those awards can be used for Fall, Spring, and Summer if the student has not utilized their annual  limit and funding remains.
  • Concord academic scholarships can only be used during the Fall and Spring semesters.  Academic scholarships are awarded assuming a student will require 4 years to graduate.  If a student graduates early or is part of a 3-year track, they will only utilize the scholarships for the number of semesters needed to fulfill graduation requirements.
  • Students receiving the Promise Scholarship will only be utilizing the scholarship for the number of semesters needed to fulfill graduation requirements or up to 8 semesters.  Students will be able to utilize Promise during the Summer semesters if they meet the criteria set forth on the cfwv.com website.  The student must complete a Summer Promise application to be considered for Summer Promise.  Please keep in mind that a semester of Summer Promise utilizes one of the 8 semesters of awards.
  • All other grants/scholarships can only be utilized in the Fall and Spring semesters.

Students admitted to CU Rise will be provided opportunities and resources to help secure mentorship/research opportunities, offered professional standardized testing (MCAT, PCAT, GRE, GMAT, etc.) training, and opportunities to tour graduate/professional schools and attend fairs.

Medical schools generally evaluate student applications in areas such as academic competence, shadowing experience, community service, and research/mentorship experience. The CU Rise program is designed to address all these things by:

  • Ensuring that each student will earn the same number of credits required for graduation (120 credits) as a 4-year degree student,
  • Providing opportunities and resources to help secure shadowing/mentorship/research opportunities,
  • Providing professional standardized testing (MCAT, PCAT, GRE, GMAT, etc.) training, and
  • Opportunities to tour graduate/professional schools and attend fairs.

Students will be provided opportunities and resources to help secure shadowing/mentorship/research opportunities, offered professional standardized testing (MCAT, PCAT, GRE, GMAT, etc.) training, and opportunities to tour graduate/professional schools and attend fairs.